Why Is My Dog Wheezing? What Lakeland Pet Owners Should Know

Have you noticed your dog wheezing frequently? Are you starting to get concerned about her health because of this? If you see your dog wheezing and you aren’t sure what the cause is, this can be alarming as well as worrying.

Some wheezing may be as simple as allergies, but other causes can be more serious. In this article, we’ll show you six of the most common causes of wheezing in dogs so you can become more well informed about the possibilities for your own pet.

Learning and understanding this information is just one of the many steps on the path to responsible pet ownership.

Allergies Can Cause Wheezing

Many dogs suffer from allergies that can cause wheezing. Dogs who have pollen allergies are most likely to have wheezing as a symptom, but any type of allergy can cause this.

Wheezing associated with allergies will usually come and go, and it may or may not be associated with coughing as well. You can talk to your vet for more information about how to manage your dog’s allergies if you believe this is the cause of her wheezing.

Blockages in Your Dog’s Airways

If your dog inhales something she shouldn’t, such as a piece of a toy or some food that gets lodged in her throat, this may cause wheezing. Dogs with a blockage like this may show other signs of distress such as panting, pacing, or shaking.

If your dog has a blockage, she will need vet care right away to remove it. This type of problem should not be ignored, as it can be very dangerous if the blockage prevents your dog from being able to breathe properly.

Is It Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is an extremely common ailment in dogs that can be caused by a few different types of bacteria and viruses. It is most often found in kennels and other boarding facilities where dogs are kept in close contact with each other, but it can also be found in dog parks, vet offices, and just about anywhere else.

Your dog will need vet care if she has kennel cough. Your vet will prescribe medications to help her fight the disease if it is caused by a bacteria, and your dog may also be given other medication to help deal with her frequent coughing and wheezing too.

Collapsing Trachea

Some dogs are prone to developing a condition called collapsing trachea. With this condition, a dog’s trachea basically folds in on itself, which causes the dog to have trouble breathing. Dogs with collapsing trachea will making a loud honking noise when they wheeze more often than not.

This condition commonly affects older dogs, but it may also be breed-specific in some cases. Most of the time, there is nothing that can be done to resolve it, but vets can provide management and care throughout the rest of your dog’s life. There may be some treatments available depending on your dog’s age and physical condition otherwise.

Heart Disease and Dog Wheezing

A dog with heart disease will eventually develop a wheeze related to this problem. Wheezing is not usually the first symptom associated with heart disease, however, so it’s important to learn more about what to look for in the early stages of this illness as well.

If your dog is wheezing from heart disease, there is likely no treatment at this stage. However, your vet may be able to work with you to provide the best possible management, comfort, and care for your dog in the final stages of her heart disease.

Your Dog Might Have Asthma

Finally, some dogs may have asthma, just like humans do. Your vet will need to diagnose your dog with asthma if this is the case, and the vet will also be able to give you more information about how to treat your dog’s condition. Although you will likely not be able to see your dog’s asthma completely go away, you can help manage this condition with medication as needed, just like humans do.

A dog with asthma may wheeze when having an acute asthma attack. This may stop when the attack has passed, but it may continue depending on the severity of the attack and your dog’s overall health condition.

Contact Your Vet If Your Dog is Wheezing in Lakeland, FL

Now that you know a little bit more about some of the most common causes of wheezing in dogs, you should be ready to talk to your vet about your dog’s health and wellbeing. Wheezing is never normal in a dog, but it does not always mean something serious or life-threatening. Sometimes, the cause is a fairly benign or simple one.

However, since wheezing can also be associated with more serious health conditions, it’s always important to take your dog to the vet when you notice this symptom and follow the vet’s guidelines as well.